News Archive
16/1/2021
Helping Vulnerable Young People Through Covid-19
Funding to help more vulnerable young people across Scotland into work has been announced by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop. Part of the Scottish Government's Young Person’s Guarantee, the £986,702 investment will provide specialist pre-employment support for an additional 1,300 16 and 17-year-olds.16/1/2021
Young Islanders To Have Their Say - Lìonra ùr ga stèidheachadh gus àrd-ùrlar a thoirt do dhaoine òga air feadh na h-eileanan
New network set up to give platform for young people across Scotland's islands. GaelicTranslation further down the page Children and young people from all 96 of Scotland's inhabited islands will be able to have their say and make their voice heard on issues in their communities through the setting up of a new forum.16/1/2021
Latest data on the Scottish economy - Update 15th January 2021
Fraser of Allender Institute article on where they see the economy now. In our last update back in November, the number of businesses trading and the outlook for business activity remained fairly stable.
16/1/2021
GDP Monthly Estimate UK November 2020 - Published 15 January 2021
UK GDP fell by 2.6% in November 2020. Following six consecutive monthly increases, including an upwardly revised 0.6% increase in October, real gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 2.6% in November 2020.
16/1/2021
Owner Of Ackergill Tower Donates £40,000 To Pulteney Centre
An American millionaire Dr Betsee Pekr has donated £40,000 to Pulteney Centre after opening the doors of her private residence to producers of the Netflix hit drama The Crown. Dr Betsee Parker is an Episcopalian minister and philanthropist from Virginia, bought Ackergill Tower in early 2019 from Clarenco after it ceased trading.
15/1/2021
Caithness Horizons To Be Relaunched As The North Coast Visitor Centre
The Caithness Committee of Highland council will next week a paper covering the present position of the former Caithness Horizons that closed when it ran into financial difficulties. The facility closed in February 2019 having operated since 2008.
15/1/2021
Wick Pulteneytown Conservation Area Appraisal And Conservation Area Management Plan - Many interesting photos and maps
On Thursday 21st January Caithness councillors will consider a report "Wick Pulteneytown Conservation Area Appraisal and Conservation Area Management Plan" and agree a public consultation that will lay out the potential for the area in coming years. The report has two highly detailed appendices.
15/1/2021
Temporary road closure - Janet Street, Thurso
Motorists are being advised by The Highland Council of the following temporary road closure which is necessary to carry out road repairs. Closure will be in place on 20 January 2021 from 09:30 to 15:30 on 20 January 2021.
15/1/2021
Travel From South American Destinations, Portugal, Panama And Cape Verde Banned To Prevent Spread Of New Variant
New travel restrictions from 4am Friday 15 January on passengers arriving in the UK from South American destinations, Portugal, Panama and Cape Verde. entry to the UK banned for passengers arriving from destinations across South (and Central) America, Portugal, Panama and Cape Verde from Friday 15 January at 4am.
15/1/2021
CST Response Between Scottish Government and UK Government Regarding Extra Funding
A copy of the letter from the Finance Secretary is below. Dear Rishi, I am writing to seek further certainty of funding streams due to the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in advance of the Scottish Government's 2021-22 Budget to allow for effective planning and allocation of funds.15/1/2021
Dingwall & Highland Marts - Sheep Sale 14 January 2021
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts, (January, 14th) sold 2,968 sheep of all classes. Lambs (1,854) averaged £74.73 and sold to £130 for a Texel cross from Midbadgrinan, Culbokie.15/1/2021
Business and personal bank accounts can now be use to apply for Temporary Business Closure Grant
Applicants for the Scottish Government's Temporary Business Closure Grant can now apply even if they do not have a formal business bank account. Businesses will now be able to use a personal bank account as evidence, if the account is mainly used for their business banking.15/1/2021
South America International Border Health Measures - Scotland
Following identification of a new variant of coronavirus in Brazil, the Scottish Government will impose additional restrictions on all arrivals from South America, as well as several countries with strong travel links to affected countries. In addition to the South American nations of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, this will also apply to Portugal, including Azores and Madeira, Panama and Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) and British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands.15/1/2021
Dry Cleaning Firms Facing Hardship
MSP Rhoda Grant has called for the Scottish Government to extend its business support schemes to industries including the dry cleaning sector which are struggling during the pandemic and do not qualify for government support. The Highlands & Islands Labour MSP spoke in Holyrood today asking Ministers to step in with a support package.15/1/2021
More Than £55 Million Paid In Business Support
More than £55 million in coronavirus (COVID-19) support has been paid out to businesses between October and December through Scottish Government funds. Statistics published today show 13,462 grants totalling £31.4 million have been processed through the Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) between 2 November and 28 December.15/1/2021
More Support Needed For Seafood Sector
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has called on the UK Government to bolster support for Scotland's struggling seafood sector. Following a series of meetings with seafood businesses and organisations this week, the Cabinet Secretary has asked for: urgent compensation to be provided to affected businesses in coastal communities and across Scotland.15/1/2021
Coronavirus Update From The Health Secretary: 15 January 2021
Joining the Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman is National Clinical Director, Professor Jason Leitch..
15/1/2021
MSP Comments On Supreme Court Ruling Re Success For Companies Claiming Business Interruption
David Stewart, Scottish Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, commenting on the Supreme Court ruling in favour of small firms receiving payments from business interruption insurance, said:"I've been fighting to support small businesses who were initially denied their business interruption insurance pay-outs since the early days of the pandemic last year. "This decision was long overdue, but it will be of huge relief to all those businesses across the Highlands and Islands which took out business interruption insurance who have yet to receive a penny.15/1/2021
